Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica
The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.
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I was not fishing, but happened to be at an unrelated social event on a hill above this tiny creek (which I never even saw) when this stonefly flew by me. I assume it came from there. Some key characteristics are tricky to follow, but process of elimination ultimately led me to Sweltsa borealis. It is reassuringly similar to this specimen posted by Bob Newell years ago. It is also so strikingly similar to this nymph from the same river system that I'm comfortable identifying that nymph from this adult. I was especially pleased with the closeup photo of four mites parasitizing this one.
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This topic is about the Stonefly Family Capniidae
These are the first stoneflies of the year to appear in most parts of the country, and often the first aquatic insects noticed by the angler. Their dark brown or black bodies are easy to spot against the snowbanks where they crawl around.Capnia in the West and Allocapnia in the East are probably the most common genera of this prolific family.
Example specimens
CaseyP on Nov 28, 2012November 28th, 2012, 11:55 am EST
in the winter, we here in the east are told that little black stoneflies might be hatching, so we tie up neat little tiny black things to represent the dries. can anyone steer me to a proper pattern for the nymphs? or is any dark quite small generic nymph going to do the job?
and surely they have a sexy Latin name...
and surely they have a sexy Latin name...
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Taxon on Nov 28, 2012November 28th, 2012, 6:44 pm EST
Hi Casey-
Yes, they surely do. Take your choice, as all these are present in VA:
Capniidae Allocapnia aurora Aurora Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia curiosa Peculiar Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia frisoni Evansville Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia fumosa Smokies Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia granulata Common Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia harperi Stonyfork Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia illinoensis (Illinois Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia loshada (Recurved Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia maria (Two-knobbed Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia mystica (Moraine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia nivicola (Brook Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia pygmaea (Pygmy Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia recta (Eastern Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia rickeri (Midwest Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia simmonsi (Spatulate Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia stannardi (Blueridge Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia virginiana (Virginia Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia vivipara (Shortwing Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia wrayi (Pristine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia zola (Ash Snowfly)
Capniidae Nemocapnia carolina (Southern Snowfly)
Capniidae Paracapnia angulata (Angulate Snowfly)
and surely they have a sexy Latin name...
Yes, they surely do. Take your choice, as all these are present in VA:
Capniidae Allocapnia aurora Aurora Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia curiosa Peculiar Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia frisoni Evansville Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia fumosa Smokies Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia granulata Common Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia harperi Stonyfork Snowfly
Capniidae Allocapnia illinoensis (Illinois Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia loshada (Recurved Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia maria (Two-knobbed Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia mystica (Moraine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia nivicola (Brook Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia pygmaea (Pygmy Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia recta (Eastern Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia rickeri (Midwest Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia simmonsi (Spatulate Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia stannardi (Blueridge Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia virginiana (Virginia Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia vivipara (Shortwing Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia wrayi (Pristine Snowfly)
Capniidae Allocapnia zola (Ash Snowfly)
Capniidae Nemocapnia carolina (Southern Snowfly)
Capniidae Paracapnia angulata (Angulate Snowfly)
Taxon on Nov 28, 2012November 28th, 2012, 6:52 pm EST
Kurt-
Is the image at the top of this thread misplaced? It seems incongruous to display an image of Pteronarcys biloba under thread title of Specimen Discussion > little black stoneflies.
Is the image at the top of this thread misplaced? It seems incongruous to display an image of Pteronarcys biloba under thread title of Specimen Discussion > little black stoneflies.
Entoman on Nov 28, 2012November 28th, 2012, 7:52 pm EST
Yes indeed, Roger. Thanks for pointing it out - I'll move it.
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
CaseyP on Nov 29, 2012November 29th, 2012, 3:23 am EST
my fault, Kurt! went looking for stoneflies and found some and just started writing...thanks for setting me straight and finding the appropriate pictures.
looks like some fine brass wire and yellow pheasant tail would make the right kind of Sawyer pattern nymph for these guys. skinny little things, aren't they!
looks like some fine brass wire and yellow pheasant tail would make the right kind of Sawyer pattern nymph for these guys. skinny little things, aren't they!
"You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi Berra
Entoman on Nov 29, 2012November 29th, 2012, 7:30 am EST
Hey, no sweat Casey. Happens all the time.
You got that right! I remember the first time I saw them against my kick net, I thought they were midge pupae until looking closer. I think your idea for an imitation is spot on as well. Though their nymphs are usually brown, I've also had good luck with tiny Copper John's tied with black wire during Snowfly season. Perhaps they take them for drowned adults or just silhouette better in slightly turbid water. As you suggest, tie 'em sparse!
looks like some fine brass wire and yellow pheasant tail would make the right kind of Sawyer pattern nymph for these guys. skinny little things, aren't they!
You got that right! I remember the first time I saw them against my kick net, I thought they were midge pupae until looking closer. I think your idea for an imitation is spot on as well. Though their nymphs are usually brown, I've also had good luck with tiny Copper John's tied with black wire during Snowfly season. Perhaps they take them for drowned adults or just silhouette better in slightly turbid water. As you suggest, tie 'em sparse!
"It's not that I find fishing so important, it's just that I find all other endeavors of Man equally unimportant... And not nearly as much fun!" Robert Traver, Anatomy of a Fisherman
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